French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived in Dublin to discuss how to proceed after the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy insists that no EU "solution" will be imposed on the Republic of Ireland to break the Lisbon Treaty impasse.
He will meet Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen during the trip, which is expected to last less than six hours.
Speaking after talks in Dublin, he said there was "no misunderstanding" about a possible second Irish referendum.
Earlier this month, Mr Sarkozy said the Republic of Ireland would have to hold a second referendum on the EU treaty.
Irish voters rejected the EU reform treaty in a referendum on 12 June.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Dublin says that remark by Mr Sarkozy annoyed many Irish politicians.
Mr Sarkozy denied having suggested that Ireland hold a new referendum. "I said at some point or other the Irish must give their opinion," he told reporters.
Several hundred anti-treaty protesters rallied outside the government building in Dublin. The crowd also included farmers and fishermen urging Mr Sarkozy to defend their interests in the global trade talks.
"I understand it's the Irish who must decide," he said, but added that "we're a Europe of 27". He noted that 23 member states had already ratified the treaty.
He was addressing a joint news conference with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen, after their talks.
Election timetable
Both leaders pointed to the European Parliament elections in June 2009, which they said would have to be held either under the Lisbon Treaty or the current Nice Treaty, which was designed for no more than 27 member states.
Earlier this month, Mr Sarkozy was quoted as saying the Republic of Ireland would have to hold a second referendum on the EU treaty. The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Dublin says that reported remark annoyed many Irish politicians.
Several hundred anti-treaty protesters rallied outside the government building in Dublin during Mr Sarkozy's brief visit.
The French president met not only Irish politicians but also business leaders and campaigners from the Yes and No camps in the Lisbon Treaty debate.
Ireland was the only one of 27 EU member states to hold a referendum on the treaty, which is aimed at streamlining EU institutions to improve decision-making in the enlarged bloc.
Ireland was the only one of 27 EU member states to hold a referendum on the treaty, which is aimed at streamlining EU institutions to improve decision-making in the enlarged bloc.
Critics see the treaty as further evidence of a federalist, pro-integration agenda at work in the EU.
Critics see the treaty as further evidence of a federalist, pro-integration agenda at work in the EU.
Time for reflection
After the Irish No vote, Mr Cowen's government said it would analyse the reasons for the result and present its ideas at an EU summit in October. France took over the EU's six-month rotating presidency on 1 July.
After the Irish No vote on 12 June the Irish government said it would analyse the reasons for the result and present its ideas at an EU summit in October. France took on the EU's six-month rotating presidency on 1 July.
"We'll work together on this, there are no ready-made solutions," Mr Cowen told reporters on Monday.
Mr Sarkozy has said the Irish may have to vote again
He plans to visit Paris in September for further talks with Mr Sarkozy on resolving the treaty impasse.
In an interview with the Spanish daily El Pais on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stressed that the French president was on a mission to listen to Irish views.
"I believe what we shall do on Monday is listen to them, but we're not visiting them in our capacity as the French (EU) presidency. We'll listen to the parties, to civil society, to the intellectuals... To say that this can be settled quickly is not true. Time is needed," he said.
His Irish counterpart Micheal Martin said Mr Sarkozy was not visiting to "impose solutions" on Irish voters.
He stressed that Ireland would make its own decision over the treaty, adding that it was too early to say what that would be.
Mr Sarkozy is expected to hold a press conference and also visit his country's embassy in Dublin.
Our correspondent says that Mr Sarkozy's proposed round-table meeting of pro- and anti-treaty parties and groups has upset the leaders of established parties in Ireland, aghast at the prospect of taking a table with the anti-treaty coalition.
Mr Sarkozy argues that 23 countries have ratified the Lisbon Treaty and that their support for it has to be recognised, whatever the views of Irish voters.
What are your expectations of President Sarkozy's visit to Ireland? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
What are your expectations of President Sarkozy's visit to Ireland? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
